Songs of Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Buckle Down Winnebago

Some boys attend Camp Winnebago, on the shores of Echo Lake, for ninety days -- the whole summer. Others attend for half that time.

In any event, the camp becomes a significant part of the boys' lives, as these songs demonstrate.

Geoff Zola introduces "Buckle Down Winnebago," a fight song.

Words to "Buckle Down Winnebago"

Buckle down, Winnebago, Buckle down;
you can win, Winnebago, if you knuckle down.
If you break their necks, if you make them wrecks,
You can break the hex, so buckle down!
Make 'em yell, Winnebago, make 'em yell.
You can win, Winnebago, if you ring the bell.
If you don't give in, take it on the chin,
You are bound to win, if you will only buckle down!
If you fight you'll chuckle at defeat.
If you fight, your luck'll not retreat. We repeat.
Buckle down, Winnebago, buckle down.
You can win, Winnebago, if you buckle down.
If you mow them down, if you go to town,
You can wear the crown, if you will only buckle down.

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago Glorious

"Winnebago Glorious" is the first song on side 1 of the vinyl record campers recorded in 1964.

The words and music of "Winnebago Glorious" were written by a camper and adopted by vote of the boys in 1947 to be their Alma Mater. Camp Director Howard "Uncle Howie" Lilienthal provides the commentary in the recording.

Bruce Lewis wrote the words and music for the song.

Oh Winnebago, glorious,
We raise a song to thee.
our camp on wooded hilltop high,
We love so faithfully.
Thru storm and strife we'll stand by thee,
Our hearts are ever thine.
We'll fight for you, in all we do,
Our camp in God's own shrine.
Oh, Alma Mater, dear to us,
We pledge undying love.
Thru all the coming years we pray
That you will reign supreme.
And when we dream of bygone days,
We'll raise our voices in thy praise.

To win, to win,
You'd like like heck to win,
but you'll have to wait till the moon turns green
or Winnebago has no team,
Aye oh, aye ee, it's plain as A B C,
If anyone's going to win today
It's we, we, we!

Camp Winnebago's recording of Trip Song

Fred Iseman introduces the "Trip Song," the sixth song on side 1 of Camp Winnebago's 1964 recording of camp songs.

Words to "Trip Song," also called "March On, Oh Brown and Green"

March on, oh Brown and Green,
Our camp we're leaving far behind.
Joyful our trip will be.
Treasures many we will find,
And when our trip starts for home again,
And Winnebago comes in view,
We will sing out a song as we carry along,
Hiking back to you.

Camp Winnebago banner, 1931

Camp Winnebago's recording of Silver Sails on Echo Lake

Richard Osman introduces "Silver Sails on Echo Lake," which was composed in 1944 to celebrate the camp's 25th anniversary.

John Eisner is the singer, accompanied by the counselor staff.

Words to "Silver Sails on Echo Lake"

Silver Sails on Echo Lake
Will shine throughout the years,
A glow no tide can ever break,
Through laughter, smiles or tears.
Silver sails beyond the shore,
Will linger on and on,
And drift right through our lives with you
Though many years have gone.
Someday soon a magic moon
Will shine down from above,
And there you'll be for us to see
Beside the camp we love.
Silver sails on Echo Lake,
One day will turn to gold,
These memories that keep awake,
Are mine to have and hold.

'When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field,' Camp Winnebago, 1964

"When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field," is the eighth song on side 1 of a vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Dick Helstein wrote the lyrics. Ozzie Taube introduces the song and Arrows and Bows sing it.

Words to "When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field"

When Winnebago's teams march down the field,
their banners flying high to reach the sky,
and cheer on cheer like volleyed thunder pealed,
We'll cheer the Brown and Green as they go marching by;
When Winnebago's teams all fall in line,
it means we're going to win another time,
we'll cheer the Brown and Green
Our vict'ry sign, vict'ry sign, Rah, Rah, Rah!

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago We're For You

Senior Arrows, Arrows, and Bows sing "Winnebago We're For You," the ninth song on side 1 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Words to "Winnebago We're For You"

Winnebago, for you we're cheering,
Winnebago, to you we're true,
Winnebago, your foes defeating,
all opponents are black and blue.
Winnebago, one lusty cheer now,
with allegiance we all owe,
For we're full of the pep
that has built up our rep,
Winnebago, we're for you.

Camp Winnebago recording of Carry On

The Crescents and Darts sing "Carry On," part of track 10 on side 1 of the Camp Winnebago album.

Uncle Barry Feinstein and Buddy Groetzinger wrote the words to the song.

Words to "Carry On"

Winnebago, Winnebago, fight, fight for your fame,
In our hearts we'll always treasure
mem'ries of your name, We'll miss you,
In the future, where we may be, thoughts will come of thee,
inspiring us to carry on to victory.

Counselors and campers around campfire

Camp Winnebago recording of In Hush of the Evening

Clement A. Barton wrote the words and music to "In Hush of the Evening," the fifth song on side 2 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Campers wrote the song at a musical assembly in 1947.

The counselor staff sings the song, which is introduced by Jim Kramer.

Words to "In Hush of the Evening"

In hush of the evening, when sunset shadows climb,
Our hearts, Winnebago, beat in time.
While still rememb'ring the joys we knew,
The lake, the cry of a lonely loon,
Our hearts, Winnebago, reflect the golden view
That someday the future will hold for you.
As we reminisce, though years may swiftly fly,
The flame in our hearts never die.